How Much is a Splash Anyway? Clearing Confusion
A splash of this and a splash of that — just about any recipe can turn from seemingly simple to downright puzzling if it calls for the addition of a liquid ingredient whose exact amount is not indicated.
The general consensus is that a splash is typically between half a teaspoon and a tablespoon of liquid. It’s more than a dash but less than a drizzle. As a rule of thumb, when asked to add a splash of something, less is better than more to be certain that one doesn’t add too much of the liquid.
Since the exact amount is unspecified, you can add a little more or a little less of the liquid ingredient than what the author exactly had in mind. This is a good thing because you can tailor the recipe to your personal preference.
But it can also be a bad thing, especially if you happen to add a lot more or a lot less.
Want to make sure that the resulting treat that requires a splash of something will be a mouthwatering offering than a nightmarish dish?
Don’t stop reading now. Below, we will talk about just how much is a splash across various circumstances, from whipping up a gastronomic creation to stirring up a steaming cup of coffee.
How Much is a Splash in Teaspoons?
A splash is approximately half a teaspoon. That’s nearly one-fifth of a tablespoon. In many instances, especially in recipes where exact measurements aren’t necessary, a splash of an ingredient may be added without using a teaspoon to measure. Simply estimating the amount to add is a possibility.
Generally speaking, a quick shake of the container with some form of restriction at the top or opening, such as your fingertip, will yield a splash of the content.
How Much is a Splash in Milliliters?
A splash is equivalent to about two and a half milliliters, which is the same amount as half a teaspoon. The smallest measuring cup is five milliliters. This means that filling a five-milliliter measuring cup halfway with a liquid ingredient will yield a splash that the recipe calls for.
But keep in mind that in bartending, a splash is equivalent to around six milliliters or half an ounce. A splash when cooking something is so much less than a splash when making a cocktail.
How Much is a Splash of Water?
A splash of water is equivalent to a splash of any other liquid cooking ingredient: half a teaspoon. But the thing with water is that, unlike other ingredients that may require a splash in recipes, it doesn’t have a taste. However, adding too much water can dilute the taste and thin the consistency.
When it comes to adding a splash of water, just like when adding a splash of anything else, it’s a much better idea to add less than add more. This way, you can always add a little more to get the desired result.
How Much is a Splash of Oil?
A splash of oil amounts to about half a teaspoon. In most recipes, a splash of oil is called for in order to keep the ingredients moist. There are instances, too, where it’s necessary to keep everything from sticking together. A splash of oil is too little an amount to be able to be used for frying.
Usually, if the purpose of oil is for cooking the ingredients, it’s very much likely for the recipe to require using a drizzle or glug of it, which is usually often enough to coat the pan.
How Much is a Splash of Soy Sauce?
A splash of soy sauce is approximately half a teaspoon. Soy sauce has a couple of purposes in cooking. One of them is to add a pleasing brown color. The other one is to add a salty flavor. In order to make the dish taste less salty or saltier, one simply needs to add the appropriate amount of soy sauce.
It’s important to note that different soy sauces from different regions and cultures have different levels of saltiness. This means that you should adjust the recipe accordingly, depending on what soy sauce you have.
How Much is a Splash of Wine?
A splash of wine in cooking is different from a splash of wine in bartending. When called for in a recipe, a splash of wine is equivalent to half a teaspoon only. When required in bartending, a splash of wine is a lot more than a splash of wine when cooking: about six milliliters or half an ounce.
No matter if you are going to add wine to a dish or alcoholic beverage, using just the right amount, even though measuring exactly, is important in order to obtain the desired outcome.
How Much is a Splash of Bitters?
Cocktail recipes usually call for bitters in dashes rather than splashes. A dash of bitters is equivalent to six to eight drops. That’s equivalent to about an eighth of a teaspoon only. A dash is so much less than a splash — in terms of bartending, a splash is a little more than one teaspoon.
Bitters are added to cocktails to balance out their contrasting flavors, which are sour and sweet. This is why adding just the right amount of bitters is crucial in order to obtain the desired taste.
How Much is a Splash of Brandy?
A splash of brandy can either amount to half a teaspoon or one and one-fourth teaspoon. It all depends on where it’s required. If brandy is for a dessert or meat or seafood dish, a splash of it means about half a teaspoon. If it’s for a cocktail, a splash of brandy is six milliliters or half an ounce.
Because brandy has an unmistakable flavor, color and odor, see to it that you use just the right amount of it for cooking or bartending, especially if the recipe requires adding just a splash.
How Much is a Splash of Water in Whiskey?
True whiskey connoisseurs add water to whiskey. That’s because it boosts the flavor of the alcoholic beverage. Usually, just a couple of drops of water is added to whiskey to enhance its taste. However, one who finds the flavor of whiskey too much may add a splash of water, about a little more than a teaspoon.
Instead of a splash of water in order to bring down the characteristic flavor of whiskey, you may simply add ice cubes to it. This will weaken the flavor and bring the temperature down to a more enjoyable level.
How Much is a Splash of Milk?
A splash of milk is exactly five milliliters (0.17 ounces). That’s equivalent to about one teaspoon or around one-third of a tablespoon. For as long as milk is involved, one must drop the rule that a splash equals half a teaspoon. If the recipe calls for a splash of milk, it means use one teaspoon of it.
No matter where milk is added, it helps enhance not only the flavor but texture, too. This is why many coffee lovers can’t help but add a splash of milk to their beloved beverage — milk makes it so much better.
How Much is a Splash of Vanilla?
When adding a splash of vanilla to a beverage, such as coffee, vanilla syrup is used and not vanilla extract. Vanilla extract is so potent that a splash of it can ruin a cup of coffee. A splash of vanilla syrup, which has a lighter flavor than vanilla extract, is equivalent to five milliliters or about one teaspoon.
Not sure whether the vanilla you are about to add to your coffee is vanilla syrup or vanilla extract? Compared to vanilla extract, vanilla syrup is lighter in color and milder in flavor and aroma.
How Much is a Splash at Starbucks?
At Starbucks, asking for a splash of anything, such as milk or heavy cream, means adding four ounces of the ingredient — that’s equivalent to almost 120 milliliters (24 teaspoons or eight spoons). That amount of the added ingredient can have a considerable impact on the taste and texture of coffee.
When asking for a splash of something at your favorite coffee shop, always remember one thing: it will increase not only the fat and caloric content of your beverage but also its cost.
Takeaway
A splash is not a lot of something. It can be anything from just half a teaspoon to 24 teaspoons. Whether for cooking, cocktail making or coffee brewing, it’s a good idea to add just the right amount of the liquid, depending on the ingredient, because even a splash can cause a substantial change in flavor.
Related Questions
What’s the difference between a splash and a dash?
A splash is anywhere from at least half a teaspoon to a full tablespoon. On the other hand, a dash is six to eight drops. It’s not all the time that a dash involves a liquid ingredient. If it involves something solid, a dash means a quick shake of the ingredient from the container with a restricted top.
What’s the difference between a splash and a drizzle?
A drizzle is more than a splash. The general consensus is that a drizzle is equivalent to about two tablespoons of a liquid. In most instances, the goal of drizzling an ingredient is to have it coat something, like a pan. While it’s true that it’s more than a splash, a drizzle is less than a glug.
